UB40: From Political Reggae Roots to Cover Song Success and Legal Split
Even the toaster can't save this one.
Summary
UB40, known for their cover songs, started as a politically-minded reggae band named after a British unemployment form. Their 1983 covers album Labour of Love produced a massive hit with "Red Red Wine," leading to three sequel albums and another international hit with "I Got You Babe" featuring Chrissie Hynde. In 2014, the band split into two factions that legally battled over the UB40 name.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThough best known for their breezy cover tunes, England's UB40 began life as a politically-minded, punk-inspired reggae band, with a name taken from the British unemployment form.
1983's Labour of Love was planned as a one-off covers album, but their version of Neil Diamond's 'Red Red Wine' became such a smash that Diamond added the song to his own live set.
In 2014 the band split into two factions who went into a legal battle over the UB40 name.
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